Method of producing insulated wires



A. P. HINSKY Filed April 9, 193a METHOD OF PRODUCING INSULATED WIRESunnuu ww wwh hurqr INVENTOR flNT/m/Wfif/msxr ATTORNEY March 26, 1940.

Patented Mar. 26,

UNITED STATES METHOD OF PRODUCING INSULATED WIRES Anthony P. Hinsky,Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Pyro Products Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y.,a corporation of New York Application April 9, 1938, Serial No..201,097

4Claims.

This invention relates to the production of insulated conductors,particularly of the type treated with flame or moisture proofingsaturants and/or compounds upon which colored coatings are applied forexample in accordance with the teachings in my prior Patent 1,887,851.The object of the present invention is" to provide a method adapting thebasic principles of this patented method to a method which consists insi multaneously or in one cycle of treating operation printing orotherwise applying markings or characterizations to the outer coloredcoating of the treated conductor for the purpose of character izing theconductor in manners hereinafter more fully set forth; and still furtherto the application of a final transparent coating in the finalproduction of the conductor in said continuous cycle of operation.Themethod consists in the particular arrangement of various parts orunits of a complete apparatus one with respect to the other in carryingout this method so as to occupy the least amount of floor space while atthe same time maintaining the various treatment tanks, printingmechanism, and the like in a more or less grouped arrangement withrespect to each other; and with these and other objects in view, theinvention consists in an electric conductor of the character describedproduced in accordance with the method more fully hereinafter 30described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawing forms a part, in'which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters ineach of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view diagrammatically illustrating the generalarrangement of my unit apparatus or mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a partial section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, to illustrate oneside portion of the mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows.33 of Fig. 1,showing only the other 0 side of the mechanism; and,

Fig, 4 is a detailed view of a part of a conductor illustrating onearrangement of carrying my method into effect.

In the diagrammatic illustration of the drawing, I have shown at H! alet-off reel upon which is arranged a conductor II, for example, oneconsisting of a wire l2, note Fig. 4, having a rubber sleeve 13 enclosedin a suitable fibrous jacket 14, for example a braided fabric andtreated with a saturant 15. The first step in my present processconsists in passing the conductor H, treated with the saturant, throughan applicator unit l6 of the apparatus for applying an intermediateproofing coating ll to the conductor-treated with the saturant, whichcoating (Cl. ill-67.9)

may consist for example of a wax base compound, a pigmented basecompound, or an asphalt compound, stearin pitch or a stearin pitchcompound or any suitable flame or moisture proofing compound ormaterial. The unit It consists of a tank having a guide roller 18 at theadmission end thereof and in the tank is disposed a suitable rotatablemeans as at l9, operated through the medium of a motor 20, and belt andpulley structure as at 21 for the appli cation of the finish H to theconductor. The unit It includes wiper means as at 22 for removing theexcess coating and for distributing the said material H on the conductorafter which the conductor, thus treated, illustrated at Ila in Fig. 1 ofthe drawing, passes around a sheave 23, arranged at a sufficient spacedrelation with respect to the unit I 6 and the next unit 24 to be enteredby the conductor Ha to give sufiicient time for the coating material 11to become sufliciently set, prior to the application of a coloredcoating 25 to the conductor by application unit as at 24.

Prior to entering the unit 24, the conductor Ila passes through a wiperas at 23a consisting of a strand of rawhide or the like, looped aroundthe conductor, or through a metal die. This Wiper or die serves tosmooth off the conductor to remove all irregularities and to fill theinterstices of the braid so as to present to the applicator unit 24, arelatively smoothfinish on the conductor which lends itself to theapplication of the color coating. Thus a more uniform and smoother colorcoating can be produced than would be the case if rough or irregularsurfaces prevail. In this connection, it will be understood that whilethe material ll is set, it is still Warm and thus establishes a bettercohesion and I commingling of the color coating therewith andsubstantially eliminates the possibility of flaking or chipping of theouter color coating.

The colored coating applied by the unit 24 through the medium of anapplicator 26 disposed in the tank of the unit and operated through themedium of an electric motor 21, may be of any desired type or kind, butis preferably of the wax base type as is taught in Patent 1,887,851,granted November 15, 1932, 1,890,291, granted December 6, 1932,1,955,424, granted April 17, 1934, 2,010,152, granted August 6, 1935,and 2,072,557, granted March 2, 1937. It will be understood in thisconnection that the general processing or treatment of theconductor withrespect to the units 16 and 24 is substantially in accordance with theteachings in said patcut; and in fact, the other of the patents cited.The unit 24 is preferably disposed adjacent the guide wheel or sheave 23so as to dispose the conductor lib, discharged from the unit 24, in widespaced relationship to the next unit 28,

- grooved to receive/the conductor.

through which the conductor as at Hb is passed, in order to give ampletime for the coating 25 on the conductor as at Hb to become sufficientlyset,

Any suitable means may be incorporated intermediate the units 24, 28, toexpedite this operation. The conductor after passing through theapplicator 26 passes through suitable wiping means as at 29 disposedover the tank of the unit 24 to remove the surplus of the coloredcoating and to provide a substantially even deposit or distribution ofthe colored coating to the conductor in accordance, for example, withthe teachings in my Patent 2,036,048, granted March 31, 1936.

The unit 28, which is also diagrammatically illustrated, represents aprinting or characterizing unit by means of which marks ofidentification of various types and kinds may be applied to theconductor coated as at llb, for example, by applying the name of amanufacturer of the product to the conductor, for example as at 29 inFig. 4 of the drawing, in whichthe name John Doe Co appears; and toapply other marks for example as at 30, longitudinally of the conductorterminating at its ends in the marks X as at 3| to designatesubstantially predetermined lengths of the conductor. In thisconnection, it will be understood that any type and kind of marks may beapplied, but for purposes of illustrating, I may pass the conductor asat lib through printing rollers 32, 33; the roller 33 being the typeroller and the roller 32 the backing roller.

At 34 is shown an ink applicator roller or feed for applying the ink ormarking materials in a predetermined color to the type wheel 33 and thusto the conductor as at Hb; the color being contrasting to the color ofthe coating 25. For

example, if the coating 25 were white, the imprint or marks as at 29,30, 3|, may be in red, black, blue, or any other contrasting color. Itwill be understood that in applying the markings to the coating themarking material is simultaneously applied and embedded in the coatingto substantially fill the imprints in said coating. Various combinationsof colors may be printed depending upon the requirements of themanufacturer or consumer. It will be understood in this connection thatthe names or marks applied to the conductor may represent that of thejobber, dealer, or consumer oi the product; and may also include suchmarkings as dates to clearly identify the life of the wire, the samebeing dated at least by the month or year in which the product wasactually produced.

The unit 23 forms the subject mater of a companion application, filed ofequal date herewith, and for reason the diagrammatic illustration andbrief reference to this mechanism is made in this application. Suitablemeans, for example.

a fountain brush diagrammatically illustrated at 35, is also preferablyemployed to lubricate the surface of the roller 32, which is preferablyThis lubricant may be in the form of a light oil or a wax and isutilized to prevent removal of the coating material 23 or topreventinjury thereto. The film or the lubricant or wax forms a cushionsurface between the roller 32 proper and the conduotor. The mechanism ofthe unit 28 is driven from a motor 38 through belt and pulley structuresas at 31', 38, note Fig. 1 of the drawing.

In the application of the printed markings to the conductor it will beunderstood that the type or pattern of the printing wheel will beembedded in the coating 25 and the ink will be deposited in thisimprint. By proper adjustments of the mechanism, it is possible tosubstantially fill the imprints 29, 30, 3|, with the ink; but in anyevent, the final coating later described will fill these imprints toform a smooth or substantially smooth final coating.

The conductor characterized as above described leaves the marking unit28 as at He and then passes into the next unit 33, which applies thefinal or top dressing 4!! to the conductor which is in the form of atransparent parafiin or wax which gives to the resulting conductor aslick outer finish and also presents a protective sheath or coveringfor, not only the color coating 25, but also the markings 29, 30 and 3|.The transparent coating 40 may be applied to the conductor He by meansof a spray as at 4| and before leaving the tank of the unit 38, theconductor passes through another wiper 42 substantially similar to thewiper 29. The conductor treated as above now leaves the unit 33 as atlid, and then passes through a water tank 43 wherein the conductor ispassed around spaced sheaves 43a partially submerged in the water tankand after a spray of water 4312 has contacted the conductor lid, toquickly set the wax coating. The conductor then passes around a capstanwheel 44 operating in another water tank 45 to further chill the treatedconductor, and from this capstan wheel, as at He, the conductorpasses-on to the take-up wheel 46, said wheel being driven from themotor 36 through a belt and pulley structureas at 41. The capstan wheelis driven by the belt and pulley as at- 37, the belt taken off from theshaft 48 of the capstan wheel as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l.

It will be understood that the capstan wheel 44 draws the conductorthrough the several units, the printing unit 28 being independentlydriven in synchronism with the conductor ll through any suitable drivesuch for example as the synchronized drive from the capstan wheel asillustrated. The speed at which the printing unit 28 is driven iscontrolled and regulated by employing adjustable pulleys 38a and 38bengaged by a V-belt 38, as seen in Fig. 1. The ratio of speed adjustmentmay be regulated so as to drive the printing wheel 33 at a speedconsistent and in synohronisrn with the movement of the conductorthrough the machine by the capstan wheel. By driving the printing wheelin this manner a substantially accurate marking of the conductod betweenthe X points 3!, which may represent a foot or two feet, as the case maybe, can be accomplished, as the printing machine may be driven faster orslower to provide and allow for irregularities of the wire or slippage.

It will be understood that various types of inks or coloring materialsmay be employed in the printing unit. In utilizing the wax base colorcoatings, I have found that inks having a quick drying property withrespect to their association with the wax coating are desirable. Certaininks containing a metal, such as aluminum powder instead oi a colorpigment, may be used; and the type of ink may be varied to suit theparticular type and kind of color coating applied to the conductor, andpigmented inks may be employed. In this connection, it is also desirablein the use of some types of ink to print the conductor after the finalwax coating has been applied, but in such cases the ink print is exposedand subject to being more readily removed from the conductor. than wouldbe the case where the final wax coating is applied thereover asillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

It will be understood that suitable means will be provided on the drivefor the take-up spool or drum 46 to compensate for the variations indiameter; for example a slip clutch may be provided for this purpose.

It will also be understood that while the color coating 25 issubstantially set or hardened prior to its entrance between the printingrollers, the same is warm and the heat thereof will aid in drying theink at the same time to aid in securing or binding the ink to thecoating material or the conductor.

With my process, clean cut and clearly distinguishable imprints areformed upon the conductor; that is to say, the imprints have a clear,clean cut definition. By using different contrasting colors in inks andin the color coating materials very attractive results are produced inthe finished product.

The printing wheel may be provided with type characters arrangedthroughout the circumference of the wheel so as to establish asubstantially constant contact or engagement with the conductor. It willalso appear that the type or characters of the type wheel formimpressions in the coating material which are filled or substantiallyfilled by the ink deposited therein.

Another method of accomplishing a result of the kind herein contemplatedwas taught in my prior patents, 1,956,575, and 1,956,951, issued May 1,1934. However, in these patents the recesses or indentations were formedin the outer coating of the desired characterized contour and thenfilled with a filler coating of contrasting.

color. In my present method, the same result is accomplished by a singleoperation; namely in forming an impression and applying the ink or otherfiller in the impression in what may be commonly termed a printingoperation.

It will be understood that while I have diagrammatically illustrated theprinting unit 28 as being driven directly from the capstan wheel, thesame may be driven in any desired manner and by the use of anyparticular type and kind of drive. For example, the unit 28 may bedriven from the shaft of one of the sheaves "a of the unit 43 as istaught in my companion application hereinbefore referred to. In thisconnection, the only essential feature is the maintenance of thesynchronized operation of the type roller 38 with the feed of theconductor.

It will be understood that in treating wires oi diflerent sizes theapparatus will be modified to suit the particular type and kind of wireor conductor employed. This is especially true in the use of largediameter conductors in which the structure of the unit 43 would bemodified to suit conductors of this type.

It will also be apparent that my invention is not necessarily limited tothe marking of conductors treated with the so called color coating. Insome instances, the application of this coating may be eliminated andthe markings may be applied directly to the compound coating applied bythe unit l8 which may be or any desired color and is usually black.

applying a final transparent While I have referred to the substantiallyconstant engagement of the type characters with the conductor, it willbe apparent; that in many instances a wide spacing of characters will beprovided on the type wheel so that in fact a single or limited number ofcharacters would engage the conductor at each revolution of the typewheel. This would be desirable from the standpoint of economy and alsodesirable where one or two marks of identification or the like isrequired at spaced intervals on the conductor.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The herein described method of producing electric conductors, whichcomprises applying a heated colored fluid compound coating to aninsulated conductor, allowing said coating to set while still remainingwarm, then simultaneously applying and embedding fluid print markings insaid coating longitudinally of said conductor while said coating isstill warm, said markings contrasting in color to that of said coatingand being embedded to substantially flll the imprint of the markings insaid coating, and drying said markings by the heat of the warm coating.

2. The herein described method of producing electric conductors, whichcomprises applying a heated colored fluid compound coating to aninsulated conductor, allowing said coating to set while still remainingwarm, then simultaneously applying and embedding fluid print markings insaid coating while said coating is still warm and to substantially fillthe marking imprints in said coating, said markings contrasting in colorto that oi. said coating, applying the markings longitudinally of saidconductor, drying said markings by the heat of the warm coating, andthen film coated and marked conductor.

3. The herein described method of producing electric conductors, whichcomprisw applying a heated colored fluid compoimd coating to aninsulated conductor, allowing said coating to set while still remainingwarm, transferring a colored marking fluid from a type wheel to andsimultaneously embedding the same in said coating to substantially fillthe marking imprints formed therein while said coating is still warm,the conductor and type wheel being operated to synchronize the surfacespeeds or both to produce clear clean-cut markings in said coating in acolor contrasting to the color of the coating, drying the markings bythe heat of said coating, and then applying a transparent film casing onsaid coated and printed conductor.

4. The herein described method of producing printed electric conductors,which comprises applying a heated wax base pigmented fluid compound toan insulated conductor to form a smooth colored coating thereon,allowing said coating to set while still remaining warm, then printingthe coating longitudinally of the conductor while still warm byembedding in said coating to substantially fill marking imprints formedtherein, a marking material having quick drying properties whencontacting said coating,.

drying said marking material by the heat of said coating, and thenapplying a transparent wax film on the coated and printed conductor.

ANTHONY P. HINSKY.

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